One more week down. It's felt like a year. I have witnessed a piece of God's heart this week – the love, strength, and deep forgiveness that He extends to each of us. And just when we've 'had enough' of the stresses of life, He softly leans in and whispers, 'Hold on. I'm not yet finished. I have so much good and happiness planned, it would blow your mind if you knew." Blow our minds, God.

Here is a picture of DonMark and I getting ready to wade in the creek (circa '93-94?). I don't have a clue where this picture was taken, but I do wish that I had a dime for every creek our family has crossed or waded in. Give me a handful of hundred dollar bills in a high-end department store and I would be totally lost; throw me in the mountains with a little brook, and I'll be right at home!



Coming up: pics of the room re-do and hopes of more consistent posting on my end...

Meet Sandy. Sandy was our first real pet (aside from a few fish and hermit crabs that didn't make it very long) and a bit of an unusual one at that. This little bunny was of the Dutch lop-eared variety. Mom potty-trained her with Cheerios, and she slept inside the house with us in a hutch Dad built, free to roam the house during the day. If you've know any of the other animals that have lived at our house, this won't surprise you at all; pets are part of the family. Sandy had a harness she would wear on 'walks', we gave her special treats on her 'birthday' and enjoyed her company for many years. Here I am with Sandy... where else, but camping?!


Also of note, this picture was taken in 1993, when I was 10. That yellow tent in the background is the same one we slept in a few weeks ago in the Gila. Now that's a good tent! Happy Flashback Friday!

...but that's not all. We also...

...used the timer on my camera...



...witnessed some breathtaking views...



...searched for trails by GPS...



...explored a few elk wallows...



...rode some dicey cliff trails...



...enjoyed some down time...



...tried to video from the back of a horse...



...packed back up...



...and took a picture at the trailhead...



So ready to go again!

Let me just say, it's rough to go from camping in the middle of nowhere for a week – no contact with civilization at all, praise the Lord (!) – back to fast-paced Dallas. Whew, what a transition! But man, we had such a fun time. 9 people (13 for a few days), 11 horses, and 3 dogs. How could that not provide the utmost adventure?! This was my fourth trip to the Gila and the 20th 'reunion' of sorts for Dad and his hunting compadres, who go every September. It was really special to get to share time with them and see so many of their favorite places to hike and hunt in God's wilderness. I believe Mom coined the phrase 'Gila Happies' awhile back, but I'm stealing it for my title today. Here are some of the things we did on our excursion, in no certain order:

...drove into the mountains...


...took everything but the kitchen sink...


...washed dishes in the creek...


...ate lunch on top of a mesa...


...scouted some elk in camo garb...


...relaxed at camp...


...rode up and down mountains...


...barebacked Rosey the mule...


...made new friends...


...rode mountain trails in the trees...


...drank lots of coffee...


...'discovered' an amazing meadow...


...played stick with Jesse until she could no longer keep her eyes open...


...took a group picture...

Alright, I've been saving this shot especially for today's flashback. Here we are, the fearless four, having just hiked out of the Pecos on our first pack trip with Daisy. We spent several days exploring/hiking/camping in the wilderness. I think this is from 1995; pardon the rockin' attire and gear. (We won't discuss the glasses or 'chili-bowl' haircut.) Still, we were pros, and this is one of my very favorite vacation memories. I am carrying my first 'camera case', wearing a red Mickey Mouse watch, and holding onto my stuffed sheep, appropriately named 'Sheepy' who came along on most camping adventures. And that is more than enough dirt on me for one day...!


(as always, click for a larger image)

And we're back. 9 people, 11 horses, and 2 dogs have returned from quite an adventure. I'm hoping to have pictures up by the end of the weekend, but for now, here's a shot Mom sent me yesterday that I just had to post. This is Jesse, passed out on the couch at home, what Mom calls her 'Gila hangover'.


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Flashback Friday shot coming up this afternoon... as soon as I get some pictures scanned in...